"WilliamA Parsons, of Beaminster, Dorset, England, was born probably in the 1570s and died there between 19 February and 19 March 1653/54. … No record of William Parsons's age or occupation has been found, but he was most likely a husbandman. … about January 1651/2 William Parsons started receiving assistance from the parish. The last payment made to him was on 19 February 1653/4, after which payments were made to the widow Parsons from 19 March 1653/4 … It would appear that due to old age and the harsh economic conditions brought about by the Civil War in general and the burning of Beaminster in 1644 in particular, … William Parsons fell upon hard times in the last years of his life."
